Tuesday, April 29, 2008

"The body is here, but Padre Pio is not just a body. In fact, he who lived in full union with the crucified Jesus now lives in absolute communion."

SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO, Italy (CNS) - "Venerating the relics of St. Padre Pio is a reminder that the saints were real men and women who lived for God, said Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes.

Cardinal Saraiva Martins celebrated Mass April 24 at San Giovanni Rotondo before officially unveiling the new, crystal tomb in which Padre Pio has been reburied.

Pilgrims will be able to view the body of the Capuchin friar, who died Sept. 26, 1968.

In his homily, Cardinal Saraiva Martins said he wanted to emphasize two things: the meaning of death and the significance of venerating relics.

'That which we will see is a dead body, no longer animated by that breath which God the creator breathed into the primordial clay,' he said.

"Facing the mystery of death, we are called to understand that that which we see does not sum up everything about human existence," the cardinal said. "The body is here, but Padre Pio is not just a body. In fact, he who lived in full union with the crucified Jesus now lives in absolute communion with the risen Jesus."

Venerating the body of Padre Pio, he said, believers are called to remember.

"Looking at his mortal remains, we remember all the good he accomplished in our midst through this body. The relics of those who sleep in the Lord -- and of the saints in a special way -- invite us to look toward the future. They call us to renew our faith in the resurrection of the flesh."

The Capuchins of San Giovanni Rotondo and the papal delegate for the saint's shrine, Archbishop Domenico D'Ambrosio, have said the body will be on view at least until September, but perhaps for as long as a year before the crystal will be covered.

The shrine has opened a telephone line -- (39-088) 241-7500 -- which potential pilgrims can use to reserve a date and time for visiting the tomb. Those without reservations will have to stand in line and take a chance on making it inside the crypt between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

As of April 23, the friars said, about 750,000 people had made reservations.

Padre Pio's body was exhumed in a service that began late at night March 2 to verify the state of the body and to allow technicians to ensure its long-term preservation.

The friars had said the body was in 'fair condition,' although the skull and parts of the upper body showed serious signs of decay.

The archbishop and the Capuchins hired Gems Studio, the London-based firm that makes figures for Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, to create a silicone mask -- including a short moustache and ample beard -- for the body." (Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops)(The practice of venerating the bodies of deceased holy men and women is as ancient as the Church. In the earliest centuries,Holy Mass was often celebrated over the tomb of one of the Saints. It proclaims the Christian belief in the redemption of the whole person, body, soul and spirit and the coming resurrection of the body. Such veneration also reveals a deep honor and reverence for those who lived lives conformed to Jesus and who are now in the communion of the saints triumphant, praying for us all.)

"Catherine, the youngest of twenty-five children, was born in Siena on March 25, 1347During her youth she had to contend with great difficulties on the part of her parents. They were planning marriage for their favorite daughter; but Catherine, who at the age of seven had already taken a vow of virginity, refused. To break her resistance, her beautiful golden brown tresses were shorn to the very skin and she was forced to do the most menial tasks. Undone by her patience, mother and father finally relented and their child entered the Third Order of St. Dominic. Unbelievable were her austerities, her miracles, her ecstasies. The reputation of her sanctity soon spread abroad; thousands came to see her, to be converted by her. The priests associated with her, having received extraordinary faculties of absolution, were unable to accommodate the crowds of penitents. She was a helper and a consoler in every need. As time went on, her influence reached out to secular and ecclesiastical matters. She made peace between worldly princes. The heads of Church and State bowed to her words. She weaned Italy away from an anti-pope, and made cardinals and princes promise allegiance to the rightful pontiff. She journeyed to Avignon and persuaded Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome. Even though she barely reached the age of thirty-three her accomplishments place her among the great women of the Middle Ages. The virgin Catherine was espoused to Christ by a precious nuptial ring which, although visible only to her, always remained on her finger."

Thursday, April 3, 2008

My book signing at the Borders store in Danbury, CT went very well. The event was called, "Tea and Fellowship" which combined the news of my recent Vatican trip (as you can see boards around me with photos and articles) and the release of my new book, Catholic Saints Prayer Book!

You can see my new book in this photo.You may order a signed copy of this book through my website, from this blog (look at the right hand column), Our Sunday Visitor Pub. Co., from The Catholic Company, Amazon.Com, and many other places.

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“The saints have always been the source and origin of renewal in the most difficult moments in the Church’s history” (Pope John Paul II, Christifideles laici).

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To hear a recent segment of "Mom's Corner" with Teresa Tomeo and I discussing my new books and other topics just click here.

Breathe in me O Holy Spirit that my thoughts may all be holy; Act in me O Holy Spirit that my work, too, may be holy; Strengthen me O Holy Spirit to defend all that is holy; Guard me then O Holy Spirit that I always may be holy--St. Augustine

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Check out the video bar below to view parts of the Faith & Culture episodes that I was in on recently on EWTN television along with a few other American delegates who attended the international Vatican congress earlier this year on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Mulieris Dignitatem. Another video clip is included as well. I have noticed that the bar changes at times and the EWTN segments might not be available at all times. However, when they are, they change to various parts of the episodes which is nice. :)

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My Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers (Our Sunday Visitor Pub. Co.) at EWTN's online store is here. All of my books will be sold in the very near future through EWTN since I was recently profiled on their "Book Mark" television show with Doug Keck.